Bicycle Accident Attorney

Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorneys

In big cities like New York, Los Angeles, and especially our hometown of Miami, bicycling is a very popular mode of transportation. Bicycles are cheaper than cars, cost less to maintain, are better for the environment, and give you some good exercise.

While bicycling is a healthy, efficient, and eco-friendly way of getting around town, it does come with its downsides. Oftentimes, car or truck drivers refuse to properly share the road with cyclists, which can turn from annoying to dangerous in an instant.

Since bicycles do not have the same safety features as cars, a simple accident can have serious medical and monetary implications. Something as seemingly innocuous as switching lanes at the wrong time can be deadly if a car crashes into a cyclist instead of another car.

If you or a loved one was has been in an accident while riding a bicycle, there is no reason that you have to tackle your problems alone. Our experienced bicycle accidents attorneys will make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Determining Negligence In A Bicycle Accident Case

Since bicycles have to follow many of the same rules of the road as cars, simply getting hit by a car while you are on a bicycle does not entitle you to compensation for your injuries and losses. For example, if you run a red light or a stop sign, chances are that you are at fault for an accident should it happen.

In addition, many urban areas have dedicated bicycle lanes that cyclists are asked to stay within whenever possible. If there is no bicycle lane available, cyclists must stay as close to the curb as possible and give room for cars to comfortably pass.

If you are injured by a driver that has been issued a traffic violation (driving under the influence, running a red light), then the roadmap for your personal injury case is (relatively) simple. Once negligence is determined for the driver who struck you with their car, your case can easily move forward.

On the other hand, if the car that struck you was not issued a traffic violation, you must prove that they were at fault in your accident. This requires eyewitness

testimony, video evidence (if you have it), or accident reconstruction. While this seems like a huge project to tackle, an experienced personal injury law firm like The Miami Injury Lawyers will know exactly what steps to take to get you the biggest settlement/verdict possible.

If hazardous road conditions caused your accident, then there is a chance that you can sue your local municipality/government. Potholes, cracks in the street, and similar defects are inconveniences for cars, but can be serious problems when riding a bicycle.

How To Avoid Bicycle Accidents

In a perfect world, cyclists and drivers would share the road in harmony. In addition, roads would be perfectly paved, there would be proper road signage wherever necessary, and witnesses would always be present in case anything were to ever go wrong.

Since Miami is far from perfect, there are some things bicyclists can do to try to reduce their chances of getting into an accident, including the following:

Wear bright clothing: It can be tempting to just hop on your bicycle with whatever clothes you have on. Even if you have reflectors attached to your bike, it can still be challenging to see you, especially if there is not a dedicated bike lane where you are riding. Wearing bright clothing, especially at night, can make you far more noticeable to cars who might otherwise have a hard time seeing you.

Do Not Antagonize Cars & Trucks: We understand that it can be frustrating to drive a bike when cars are not giving you the right of way. No matter how frustrated you get, do not get tempted to cut off traffic, yell at other drivers, or drive well below the speed limit while blocking off other drivers. Even though traffic laws are designed to protect you, there is not much they can do if you are actually struck by a car.

Properly Signal All Turns: This one seems relatively simple, but signaling your turns is incredibly important to help avoid an accident. Cars might not notice your bicycle turning, but it is hard to miss your outstretched arm pointing where you are turning.

Familiarize Yourself With Bike Routes During Daylight: Potholes and cracks in the road are serious hazards for bikers, especially at night. By familiarizing yourself with the common paths you will be taking, you can learn where potholes are, how to avoid them, and potential detours you can take. This also applies for areas of the road that might not be bike-friendly. Taking a few trial runs before driving in the dark can make you an infinitely more comfortable and confident cyclist.

Decades of Experience Representing Bicycle Accident Victims

While it is important to take precautionary measures whenever possible, sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent an accident from happening. If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident recently, we highly suggest contacting our personal injury attorneys to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

We have decades of experience helping bicyclists get back on their feet (and their bikes) after accidents. Don’t trust your case with just anyone – contact The Miami Injury Lawyers today.